A Commissioner of FRAUD

* Says Udom can’t sack me because of his role in the Governor’s victory

If Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel thinks his effort towards saving money for Akwa Ibom and boasting the economy of the state is being reciprocated by some members of his Cabinet the State Executive council, then, he better have a rethink as one of his commissioners is neck deep in siphoning and stealing money from the Akwa Ibom state treasury using some tricks’ formula. 

Oku Ibom III is dead * Akpabio Udo Ukpa joins Ibibio ancestors

The Oku Ibom Ibibio, III and Paramount Ruler of ONNA Local Government Area Akwa Edidem (Dr.) Akpabio Udo Ukpa have been reported dead. The sad event THE INK understands happened last night. A palace source confirmed the incidence and added that ever since the Late Monarch passed on that the Palace have been thrown into a sober mood with everyone reflecting on the life and times of Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa.

The Late Monarch left behind a wife, Children, grandchildren and a host of other relatives to mourn him. Until his dead, he was a devout Christian who believed in doing good to all manner of persons that came across his way. He was the Chairman and Subsequently a life patron of TROMPCON. A position he used to advanced the course of Akwa Ibom State and indeed the Niger Delta Region.

He was well over ninety years of age and a believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Late Paramount Ruler of ONNA emerged as Oku Ibom the third following the demise of Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo the Oku Ibom second who passed on to meet other Ibibio Ancestors. The Dead of Usonyin Ekpo Ekpo was proclaimed by the former Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Edidem Robert Obot who was then the secretary of Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

With the passage to eternal Glory of the Late Monarch, the Ibibio race have lost a rare gem, a leader amongst leaders and a man who believed in the collective patrimony of the Ibibio Nation. The Late Monarch was a fearless man, courageous and very focused Father who believed in the collective Unity of the Ibibio Tradition.

Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa had risen through the ranks of the Ibibio stool having served Ibibio nation as the Second in command to the Oku Ibom the second Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo. His determination and selfless leadership to the course of the Ibibio race had seen him fighting many battles for the growth of Ibibio nation. 

What future for an on-and-off state owned broadcast station?

BY ETORO-OBONG INYANG

Established 29 years ago after the creation of Akwa Ibom State form the old Cross River State, the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, has served as the mouth piece of the government of Akwa Ibom in educating and enlightening the people on programmes and policies of government. Unfortunately, the station has been operating under  very difficult conditions, like,  lack of functional and modern equipment, dearth of operational vehicles, insufficient manpower,  low staff morale, and lack of a befitting office accommodation, despite these unfavourable conditions, the station has over the years been winning awards and accolades from the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC, and other reputable organizations.

The sad situation is that successive administrations have not accorded the state owned media the attention it deserves, for instance, the station is still being accommodated in a rented apartment, staffers have been struggling without success to get the twenty-two and half percent wear in allowance for media workers implemented. It is not ascertained whether the state owned media outfits have been receiving budgetary allocations, in spite of the fact that AKBC has been generating revenue for the state government. 

A Recap on the Last wishes of a Legendary Monarch

BY DOPSE EBEREFIAK

A great scholar once said the history of the  world can never be brimful or complete without an expansive account of leading stars, which, by determination, hard work and prominence often emerge leaders worthy of note in their generations. Indeed Such great men are liked the proverbial owls, who have seen all types of night and are served among other things by colorfast imprints created in their chosen field of endeavors.

Interestingly, some men come into this world to act their scripts with some indelible marks that impact either negatively or positively in the lives of others. Others merely live and leave quietly without being noticed. Indeed our legend was not of the latter but rather he was a known cock, loved, respected and cherished by his people. However it is barely five years since our role model, activist, hero, legend, His Highness, late EtebomEffiongEberefiak, JP, Ph.D joined our forefathers to the land of no return yet his achievement, legacies and prestige still stand tall in the annals of life and times.

Permit me whisk your mind back to 55years ago, where mysteriously out of millions, only one crossed over; mysteriously he became a part in her; mysteriously he turn to something bigger and better; mysteriously he survived there for nine months; mysteriously he came out when the time was due and mysteriously he cried out for the first time. Hey! That’s late Etebom Effiong Eberefiak am talking about; born in 1961 as a Prince to the late Chief Elder Okon Jacob Eberefiak of Nung Etuho – Udoabasi of Nung Akpan Ibanga Royal Family, of Nung Uyo Idoro, Oku Clan, Akwa Ibom State.

Akwa Ibom State rerun & the APC

BY OKPO EWA

When Jesus Christ prophesied about  bringing down the temple and rebuilding it in three days to a greater glory the Jews in their pedestal understanding considered him a threat to national security and economy because they did not understand how just one man would bring down a temple that took hundreds of men years to build only to rebuild a greater one in three days! Absolute balderdash! 

But the Messiah was actually referring to a Messiac Temple. This is analogous to what happened not long ago in Akwa Ibom state when Bishop David Oyedepo, the General Overseer of Living Faith Church aka Winners’ Chapel referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State as “victory of light over darkness” and the APC fanatics like the pedestal minded Jews in Jesus’ time went berserk against the minister of God instead of actually discerning the wisdom in his pronouncement. 

In fact, one of my very intelligent friend and brother went the extra mile in his pasquinade blaring that it was very wrong of the Bishop to refer to  Umana Okon Umana as darkness when even Umana’s wife was a minister at shiloh! Please forgive his risible ecclesiastical ignominy. Umana Okon Umana’s wife minister in Shiloh where all the so called big men of God in Akwa Ibom and Cross River State put together have not gotten the privilege let alone a mere titular cleric from a small branch of RCCG some where very far from Canaan land? That, however, is not our topic of discussion today. It never should be.

A Communique on the Akwa Ibom State Constituencies and Uyo Senatorial District Rerun Election by a Coalition of INEC Accredited Observer Groups - Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness, Global Initiative for Civic Training & Youth Empowerment

PRELUDE:
In the world over, it is necessary to ensure that elections comply with International Best Practice and Globally Accepted Standard, hence, the essence of accrediting reputable Civil Society Organizations to observe any election is to assess the degree of compliance of the electoral management body (INEC), the Political Parties as well as their supporters to the relevant electoral laws as provided by the Electoral Act of 2010 as Amended, Federal Republic of Nigeria. This essentially is to serve as a parameter for measurement and a term of reference to improving future elections. Thus, election observation increases the level of credibility of a well ordered process of power transition in any defined democratic state.
 

Consequently, the Independent National Electoral  Commission (INEC), as an electoral body saddled with the constitutional responsibility of conducting elections across Nigeria, after a thorough scrutiny accredited some reputable  Civil Society/Non Governmental Organizations to serve as election observers for the Akwa Ibom rerun elections, 2016.

Of women’s misrepresentation in the media (11)

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Previously on this column, the issue  of misrepresentation of women in   the media was discussed though not extensively. This piece therefore lends a continuation to the afore-discussed subject matter. Having established the fact that women are no more heard of but seen in the negative light, one is not in doubt on why today’s women have taken to cheap and demeaning means of announcing their arrival to the world.  

As stated previously, it is no news that women have become sales promoters of various wares, goods and services nationally and internationally courtesy of their feminine charm. That is their smile, smooth skin, white teeth, fair complexion, curved edges and shape, long or short artificial hair, beautiful face, an assumed hot legs, and etc. On every street, major/minor roads and highways, we see Billboards of women advertising wares varying from home utensils to furniture, landed properties, cars, hospitality outfits, toiletries, food stuffs, hair treatments and body creams as well as a number of assorted items which may not apply to them. All thanks to their expressionable looks which we have been made to believe ‘moves market’ more than a man or child on the Billboard.  

Accountant General, Uwem Ita Etuk mock UGE

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for  Lands and Town planning Arch. Uwem Ita Etuk and his fellow Ibesikpo Asutan kinsman recently took a swipe at the state Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel saying that seven months into his administration, the Governor is yet to take charge especially as matters relating to the State House of Assembly are concerned.

The duo has however vowed to capitalize on the inability of the Governor to take charge of the state by ensuring that they take over the control of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. This position was made known by the two men recently during a campaign trend for the return of Aniekan Uko to the state House of Assembly at Asutan ward two held at the residence of Ime Asuquo Etim the ward chairman of the PDP at Ikot Nkim Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
Speaking during the consultation, the former Chairman of the PDP Mr. Uwem Ita Etuk called on the people of the area to join hands in supporting Mr. Aniekan Uko to return to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He maintained that if Uko returns to the Assembly that the Ibesikpo man will take over his position as the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. 

Etinan re-run: Paramount Ruler backs Barr Dennis

* Congratulates Udom
 

The Paramount Ruler of   Etinan Local Government Area, HRM Edidem Imeh Dickson Umoette, JP, OON, has called on the people of Etinan State constituency to support the PDP candidate Barr Aniefiok Dennis as according to him the seasoned legal luminary is the one and only best option for the state constituency.

The position of the Royal Monarch is contained in a congratulatory message to Governor Udom Emmanuel on his victory at the apex court a fortnight ago and made available to newsmen in Etinan over the weekend. He described Barr Dennis as the best man to represent Etinan State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and also promised to work towards the victory of Barr Aniefiok Dennis next month during the state constituency re-run.

PDP Chieftains gang up against Udom

…as missing vehicles create tension in Ukanafun 

The Chieftains of  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ukanafun Local Government Area are in a thick conspiracy against Governor Udom Emmanuel for alleged marginalization. 

The “Cartel” led by a former Commissioner, Obong Eno Akpan and the National Officer of PDP, Hon. Udo Ekpenyong is said to have convened series of meetings to tinker with the idea of being compensated with appointments. Sources that have been attending the meetings said that since they cemented the “fragile unity” recently, they have been mapping out the modalities of how to produce a Local Government Chairman in the next few months and House of Representatives member in 2019. Ekpenyong is said to be fronting his nephew who is the current Transition Chairman of Ukanafun, Barr. Samuel Udokoh; while ceding Vice Chairmanship to Eno Akpan who has similarly embarked on intense campaign for his nephew and member representing Ukanafun State Constituency. Sources at their regular meetings said if the Governor does not help them to actualize their aspirations that they are going to embark on intensive media campaign to dent the State Government led by Governor Emmanuel.

Nse Essien to build house for God

BY GODWIN SAM

It was a gathering of who is who in the State on  Sunday 21st February, 2016, when the Member Representing Onna State Constituency, and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, held a thanksgiving service at House of Gold Ministries International along House of Assembly Road in Uyo.

A visibly elated Nse Essien in thanking God said he has so many reasons to be grateful to God for; enumerating some of the reasons to include ten years in marriage, and still standing strong; three beautiful daughters as products of the union; and the privilege of being alive and being lifted by God to the position of a House Member. Other reasons enunciated by the Deputy Chief Whip of the 6th Assembly for thanking God were the successes recorded by Akwa United Football Club of the State, a team where his is the number one individual financial sponsor, and the Supreme Court victory of the Governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

Hon. Nse Essien said “I am what I am today because of God’s faithfulness. I could not ask for more than representing the Governor, my senior brother at the House of Assembly. God has been so kind to me and my family, and I return all the glory to Him in Jesus name, Amen. This thanksgiving is in fulfillment of my vow to God. I promised god that if He makes me the House Member I will build a worship place for Him. I came this morning to fulfill that promise. I thank God Almighty for His grace and mercy towards me. I thank the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for always being there for me and for always heeding to my calls. I thank my wife who has always been there for me in thick and thin. She is always the last man standing, my source of motivation, the consoler, and my number one team player. I thank my children for being good children. And finally, let me use this occasion to thank and celebrate my Pastor and his wife for always believing in me and always praying for me.”

Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State